Vilsack Remembers

Hillary Clinton’s campaign just sent out an email from former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack explaining his reasons for endorsing her for President.

For one thing, he says, it was simply a matter of returning a favor:

“When I first ran for governor of Iowa in 1998, many people didn’t give me much of a chance. But not Hillary. She told me she’d do everything she could do to help, and she followed through.”

Full letter (and fund-raising solicitation) after the jump.

–Jason Horowitz

I’m not someone to play coy about my intentions. When I make a decision, I go all in and follow through. Hillary Clinton has the same determination, and it is something I have always admired.

When I first ran for governor of Iowa in 1998, many people didn’t give me much of a chance. But not Hillary. She told me she’d do everything she could do to help, and she followed through. She stood by my side, and Iowa is better for it. She helped ignite the spark that changed Iowa from a red state to a blue state.

By standing with Hillary now we’ll help show that we are strong enough to win back the White House — and America will be stronger and better for it.

Please join me and Christie and help Hillary make a strong showing before the March 31 deadline:

Christie and I plan on spending the next 10 months helping Hillary win the Iowa caucuses and the other states necessary to win the Democratic nomination — and after that, the White House in 2008.

I am proud to do it because of all the candidates running, she has the best ideas, the most energy, and the values and vision to lead our country in the right direction after eight long years of George W. Bush.

She’s going to put an end to the war in Iraq. She’s going to make sure every American has access to affordable health care. She’s going to make us energy secure. And I know she’ll put children and families first — she has fought for them for decades.

Today, Christie and I made a contribution to Hillary’s campaign, and we did it for two reasons. First, we believe in her campaign. And second, the critical March 31 FEC deadline is just five days away.

We must show the magnitude of the grassroots support for this campaign in the next five days. I hope you’ll join us and make a contribution at this critical time:

I just returned from my first real vacation in nine years, and I am ready to get back to work — because we don’t have time to wait.

This country wants real change.

That’s why I announced I’m endorsing Hillary today, and that’s why Christie and I are going to travel around our state and the country, introducing Hillary to our friends and talking to everyone we meet about why Hillary is the right choice for Iowa and America.

We’re going to give this campaign everything we’ve got. Please join us and make your contribution before the March 31 deadline: